The Cursed Beast Caught My Leash - Chapter 123

16. Advance

“A letter has arrived.”

Lately, the conference room of Largo’s court had no chance to gather dust.

Alexio, who had summoned key figures from both Calis and Largo, held up a letter sealed with the insignia of Pantege.

“It’s a message from Pantege. As everyone might have guessed, it’s asking us to release the ‘Second Prince we are holding hostage.’”

“The nerve. That wretch crawled in through a rat hole and got caught, and now they dare call him a hostage? He’s nothing short of a bandit who deserves to be executed on the spot!”

The Duke of Belluccini, known for his coarse tongue, bellowed. Having gathered troops from across Largo including his own domain, he was especially irritated that such a letter arrived just as they were about to mobilize.

Roderick, standing beside Mikel, narrowed his eyes and asked, “So they want to negotiate?”

“Apparently so. ‘If the successor of the glorious Empire Pantege, Hendrick Regan de Pantege, is not released, hundreds of thousands of troops will trample the lands of Largo.'”

“Outrageous!”

“‘However, if a wise choice is made, peace and mercy shall be granted. In return for releasing the prince, the fertile southernmost granary of Pantege shall also be given.'”

Alexio read the bold text on the stiff paper aloud, then let out a hollow laugh.

“They’re referring to the land of Pag.”

“Pag?”

The nobles of Largo seated around the round table, along with the knights standing behind them, flared with anger.

“Isn’t that the land they plundered from us long ago?”

Pag was one of the fertile granary territories taken when Largo was a vassal state of Pantege a hundred years ago. Even after gaining independence, they had never managed to reclaim it.

“They want to return land that was originally ours in exchange for releasing a petty bandit? What kind of rotten wordplay is this?”

“Those depraved plunderers are insane!”

“Scheming devils who deserve to burn in hell forever!”

The people of Largo burst into furious protests. Their uproar was so intense that Alexio had to raise his hand to calm them down.

Meanwhile, the Northerners seated on the other side, not involved in the matter, remained expressionless. Dressed in all black, showing no reaction, their stillness starkly contrasted with the enraged Largans—an odd sight indeed.

“Where is the exchange to take place?”

Islay, rolling a game piece on the operation map with his palm, asked calmly. Alexio let out a heavy sigh and brushed his golden hair back from his forehead.

“A gorge on the border between Largo and Pantege. It’s also known as the ‘Cliff Crossroads,’ and beyond it lies the plains of Pantege, which we had planned to cross. It’s essentially a shortcut.”

“Did they specify a date?”

“They said next weekend.”

There wasn’t much time left. Debates stirred across the round table—was the claim of hundreds of thousands of troops real? Should they ignore the hostage negotiation and proceed with their original plan?

As everyone pondered the absurdly one-sided terms, Islay let out a dry laugh.

“It’s a trap.”

“Most likely.”

Mikel chimed in, pointing to the ‘Cliff Crossroads.’

“It’s a cliff zone we had scouted while moving south through the continent. Perfect for an ambush. We would’ve stationed forces there too.”

“Then we must absolutely avoid that route. They’ve had plenty of time to prepare, so they surely have hidden troops there.” Roderick, arms crossed, stared down at the operation map.

Alexio nodded and added, “Above all, moving troops through there won’t be swift. To meet their demanded date, only a small party can be taken, which would lead to certain death. As Roderick said, we should avoid the gorge.”

If Pantege was lying in ambush, Largo wouldn’t even have a chance to strategize under the pretense of a hostage exchange. Most believed it best to ignore the negotiation and revise the plan.

“No.”

Islay’s firm fingers tapped the plains of Pantege.

“That was our original route, so a clash is inevitable. Worst case, if they reroute, they could strike our rear.”

Roderick furrowed his brow deeply. The Northerners were to take the front lines, while Largo’s elite forces, including himself, were assigned to the rear.

“It’s actually for the best.”

Islay continued in a tone completely devoid of tension, “A shortcut leading into the plains? We should’ve taken it from the start. We’ll annihilate the ant swarm at the crossroads, clear the path, and press straight on to the capital where their leader sits.”

Rather, a flicker of interest appeared in his eyes as if seeing an opportunity.

Alexio firmly shook his head. “We must not overlook the fact that it’s a trap. We need to restructure the strategy…”

“It’s not a massive army moving. It’s ‘us’ who are moving.”

Islay’s dry, low voice continued as if reading from a page, “We have a strike force that can mobilize day and night. We’ll advance quickly and aim for a field battle.”

“…A field battle?”

Alexio narrowed his eyes slightly.

Of course, it was a legitimate tactic for a small strike force to move rather than a large army. But that was only suitable for ambushes. Walking straight into a trap with a clearly defined location and time, and even planning for a nighttime battle?

“In the dark, we have the advantage. There’s no need to light torches to secure visibility. We can move silently.”

Mikel added casually, as if it were nothing, “Since we’re the attackers, we should maximize our advantages, Your Majesty of Largo.”

“It’s not wrong, but…”

Alexio looked again at the group dressed entirely in dark clothing like shadows. They certainly looked capable of stealth operations in the dark.

Still, not having fully grasped the capabilities of the Calisians, he voiced his concern.

“Still… it seems like a suicide mission. Your bodies aren’t made of iron, are they?”

Islay, who had maintained a stoic or sarcastic expression the entire time, finally let out a small laugh.

He had reached the year marked by a fate that would turn him into a repulsive monster. Even if he wanted to die, he couldn’t die easily. His body was stubbornly strong and aggressive, killing everything in his path when provoked.

The Calisians were the same. Born with the blood of beasts, they weren’t easily hurt and excelled at moving in groups. Nighttime ambushes were their strength.

Unlike the people of Largo, who looked solemn as they prepared for a war they deemed inescapable, those who had come down from Calis showed not the slightest sign of crisis.

“Enough with the needless worry. Use us as much as you can.”

Islay spoke with an expression that showed he was eager to get rid of this wretched burden.

“How about we all move on the same day and time? Our units will be separated, but we’ll share updates through carrier birds. Stick to the previously set plans, just strengthen forces from the rear.”

Since it wasn’t a drastic change from their original plan, only a slight variation in timing and method, it wouldn’t cause confusion.

Still, were they really going to walk straight into the trap… Alexio thought in disbelief but quickly came to a decision.

“Fine. What do you plan to do with Prince Regan?”

When he asked indirectly, the indifferent Islay’s expression changed. His slowly blinking eyelids lifted to reveal eyes tinged with a chilling crimson hue.

“Since it’s a hostage negotiation in name, shouldn’t we take the little fox along?”

No matter how you heard it, it sounded like he meant to toy with and kill the prince with his own hands. Mikel nodded once toward the breathless nobles of Largo.

“Don’t worry. We’ll take victory and bring back the land of Pago just as it was.”

“It’s Pag.”

Roderick corrected his mistake. Mikel shrugged as if it didn’t matter.

***

On a late night under a full moon, Stella lay on her side in bed, blinking.

Though her bedroom was on the top floor and relatively quiet, she could sense busy movements from far away. It was the stillness before a storm.

‘A real war must be coming.’

Just imagining a massive army clashing was terrifying. Stella earnestly prayed that peace would come to Largo and that as many people as possible would return to their loved ones.

At the same time, she also realized that the moment Alexio and Islay left Largo would be her opportunity.

‘Sorry, Alexio…’

She was certain his words about her stirring up the country over a man hadn’t come from his heart. Even if it hurt her, he must have said it to stop her from risking herself.

Even so, her feelings hadn’t changed.

Still unwilling to give up her resolve, Stella pondered how she could reach the temple that held the sacred relic. She knew she couldn’t do it alone.

At that moment—knock, knock—a sound came from the door. Stella, startled, sat up and turned her head.

The knock was slow and heavy, as if not to startle her. From beyond the door, she could sense a presence calmly holding its breath and waiting.